Jake Paul didn’t have much time to demonstrate the improvements he has been talking about.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer knocked out Andre August with a single – and brutal – right uppercut late in the first round of a scheduled eight-round cruiserweight fight Friday night at Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Fla.
Paul (8-1, 5 KOs) insisted he’d stop only the second genuine boxer he has faced. No one expected it to come so soon – no one but him, that is.
“I said first-round knockout all week,” Paul said in the ring after his victory. “I manifested this. This is the power of manifestation. I said I needed to bring back the old ‘Problem Child.’ I’ve been too nice with these people, letting them go into the later rounds.
“I set up my shot, and he went night night. I told him he’s gonna need a Celsius (supplement drink) to wake up.”
August (10-2-1, 5 KOs) was supposed to be at least somewhat different from Paul’s other opponents, mostly MMA fighters with limited boxing skills.
The Texan had some success as an amateur and was a winner as a professional, although he hadn’t faced anyone of note. Tommy Fury, who has a boxing background, handed Paul his only loss. Would August give him problems too?
Uh, no.
The opening few minutes were largely uneventful, although Paul was the much busier fighter and landed five power punches, according to CompuBox. The last one was as memorable as any in his career.
Paul poked out his jab and he followed with as beautiful an uppercut as you’re ever going to see, one that put August on his back and hurt him badly. He rolled to his side and attempted get up as referee Chris Young counted, but he couldn’t get to his feet.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:32.
When Young waived off the fight, Paul looked directly into the television camera and made a shushing gesture.
“I was just silencing my critics,” Paul said, “everyone who has something to say about me. ‘Oh, he can’t do this, he can’t sell, he’s not big. What is he doing fighting this guy, fighting that guy?’ Shut the f*ck up.”
Paul has said repeatedly that he plans to become a world boxing champion, which is reaching for the stars given the 26-year-old’s lack of a technical foundation. He took up boxing only three years ago.
He said after his victory over August is a step in that unlikely direction.
“I’m focused on being the best in the world and creating one of the greatest sports stories in the history of sports,” Paul said, “being able to become champion from Disney Channel, three years ago not even knowing how to throw a jab or what an uppercut was, none of this. That, to me, is incredible.
“(I want) to inspire these young kids or anyone out there to chase their dreams. And no matter where you start, if it’s late in your life, whatever it is you want to do, you can do it and rise to the top.”
What’s next for Paul?
He said an announcement would come next week but refused to divulge more than that, not even whether the fight would be under boxing or MMA rules. He is affiliated with the PFL, making MMA a real possibility for his next endeavor.
And he wouldn’t provide the names of fighters he might be interested in facing, saying, “I’m not going to give anyone the limelight right now who doesn’t want to fight me.”
All we know is that he’ll remain on his current path, one he is confident will bring him continued success no matter whom he faces.
“A couple of years ago I didn’t really have any challenges,” Paul said. “I was just beating everybody, not really focused, doing stuff outside of the gym that I shouldn’t have been. Now I’m lasered in.
“I found my spirituality through guys like (health gurus) Aubrey Marcus and Lukis Mac, and that has changed my whole entire life. Staying on the grind, in the gym, consistent, surrounding people like my girlfriend (speed skater) Jutta (Leerdam), who’s a world champion.
“Those are the people that push me to be the best on a day to day basis. That’s what it’s really all about.”
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